Advertising device



Jan. 5, 1965 BOGEN 3,164,317

ADVERTISING DEVICE Filed May 20, 1963 INVENTOR. 4 0270 4. 4906! d ive/V5) 3,154,317 Patented Jan. 5, 1965 3,164,317 ADVERTISING DEVICE Morton A. Bogen, 19 Kay St., Jericho, N.Y. Filed May 20, 1963, Ser. No. 281,730 2 Claims. (Cl. 229-73) This invention relates to a container of the envelope type, and more particularly to a novel envelope having a business return or reply card formed as an integral part thereof. In various modes and fields of advertising and the like, it is common practice to distribute by mail or by hand, envelopes containing promotional or other advertising matter. Normally, a business reply card, prestamped and addressed to the advertiser, is enclosed with the material, with the hope that persons having an interest in the material will thereby contact the advertiser directly.

In a very large percentage of cases, the reply cards provided 'are not filled out or returned, even in cases Where the prospect is interested in the subject matter or the advertisement. The low return rate is, in many in stances, occasioned by loss or mutilation of the cards by the prospect and also, in many instances, by the mere inertia of the prospect.

The present invention relates to an improved advertising device or envelope wherein the return or business reply card forms an integral part of the device itself, thus minimizing likelihood of losing the same. The mailer portion, prior to detachment, forms the closure for the envelope and is thus maintained readily accessible and in the view of the prospect.

The double use of the flap (as a closure and as a mailer) results in economics in the production of the device over units heretofore known wherein separate flaps and mailers are provided.

The device is of novel construction, the flap portion being provided on one face with a cohesive coating. The cohesive surface is protected against the accumulation of detritus by the remainder of the envelope.

In use as a return card, the flap is detached and folded over on itself, to bring the cohesive faces into contact with each other. Thus, while the flap material in and of itself may be thinner or more flimsy than desired for mailing, the doubled-over, joinedtogether card will possess suflicient stiffness to be useful as a business reply card.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved envelope device of particular utility in' the field of advertising. A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the type described wherein the closure flap of an envelope for promotional materials and the like, although of relatively light weight material, maybe formed into a reply card of suflicient stiffness for mailing, without fear of mutilation.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a device of the class described having novel structure wherein removal of the card from the device and formation of a reply card are greatly facilitated.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein or be hereinafter pointed out, ref-' erence is made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an advertising device in accordance with the invention, with the closure fiap open;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the rear face of the device of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 1 of another embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 1 of still a further embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a magnified section taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a finished reply card in accordance with the invention.

In accordance with the invention, I provide an envelope 10, the major parts of which are of conventional structure, comprising a front face 11 (FIGURE 5) and a rear face 12. The front and rear faces 11, 12 are provided with conventional overlapping flaps or tabs which formed sealed bottom edge 13 and side marginal edges 14, 15. V

The envelope 10 is provided with a top closure flap 20, preferably of generally rectangular shape, and having a free edge 21 and a fold or marginal edge 22 which is common with the upper terminal edge of the front face 11 of the envelope. It will be understood that normally the flap 20 is formed integrally with the material of the envelope.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 1, a weakened tear line 23 is formed at the fold or marginal edge 22, normally by a row of closely spaced perforations. A transverse score line 24, bisecting the flap 2%), is formed on the said flap to facilitate precise folding of the flap.

The corners 25, 25 remote from the marginal edge 22 may be used temporarily to hold the flap in the closed position thereof. For this purpose, the rear wall 12 is formed with diagonal slots 26, 25, beginning at side edges 14, 15 and inclining downwardly and inwardly. As best seen in FIGURES 2 and 5, the corners and corner adjacent portions of the flap may be inserted within the slots aforesaid, to hold the flap in the envelope mouth closing or folded over position.

In accordance with the invention, a cohesive coating or surface 30 is formed on the flap 20 on the face which lies adjacent the rear wall 12 of the envelope. Preparations for the formation of such a surface are well known in the art and generally comprise an elastomeric composition, such as latex, which is dissolved through the use of a suitable solvent. In normal practice, the material is applied to a surface, and after evaporation of the solvent, the remainingv layers will not normally adhere to uncoated elements but on contact with a similarly coated member, the coatings will be strongly joined.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the

layer 30 will not'stick to the rearwall 12,although the, rear wall does serve the function of protecting the layer and thereby preventing the accumulation on said layer of detritus or like substances which would reduce the effectiveness of the layer.

The envelope and the flap 29 are preferably formed of the usual rather thin stock which is employed for envelopes. Accordingly, a single layer of such stock normally would not be desirable for mailing, as the same would be subject to mutilating influences, such as spindling, folding, tearing or the like. However, in accordance with the present invention, the flap 20 may be severed along weakened line 23 and folded upon itself along score line 24 to bring the coated portions into contact. The resultant cornpo-site (FIGURE 6) is relatively stiff and forms an ideal business reply card suitable for mailing.

The provision of score line 24 is a highly desirable feature, since it enables accurate folding of the flap. The necessity for accurate folding is occasioned by the tenacious connection which is formed when even a light contact between the coated surfaces is effected. Thus, in the absence of a score line, a slight error in folding, resulting in imperfect registry of the fiap halves, could not be rectified after contact between coated surfaces is effected.

It will be evident that the uncoated faces of the flap may bear any desired indicia, such as the advertisers ad- '2 and 5 have been given like reference numerals, a metal fastener 49 is used to maintain the flap 2% in mouth closing position. In this embodiment, as in the first described embodiment, the score line 24 is centrally disposed with respect to the flap 2%). An aperture 41 is disposed to one side of the center or score-line 24', which apenture registers with the tines of fastener 40 when the flap is folded against rear wall 12. It will be seen that when the flap of thisernbodiment is severed and folded for the formation of a reply card, the flap half not having the aperture will seal such aperture, due to the non-central location thereof, and an unpunctured reply card results.

In theembodirnent of FIGURE 4, the flap 2%, in addition to central score line 24", is provided with lines 58, 59 of spaced perforations, which lines run closely adjacent the side edges 51, 52 or the flap. An additional tear line of perforations 53 joins the lines 5G, 50, said tear line 53 closely paralleling fold line 23" formed at the common marginal edge of the front wall 11" and flap 2%)". In this embodiment, side portions 55, 55 of the rear Wall 12" which, in the folded position of flap 26", register with the side strips of the flap (said strips comprising the portions lying between tear lines fill, E9 and side edges 51, 52;) are coated with the cohesive substance. When theflap of this embodiment is folded against the rear wall, the strips of the flap will adhere to the portions 55 i and hold the fia'p in closed condition.

In thisembodiment it will be clear that the reply card is formed by severing the portions of the flap which are encompassed between tear lines 541, 50 and 53. It will he understood that since the only parts of the rear Wall 12" which are coated are those which register with the sepa rated strips of the flap, there is no connection between the parts of the'fiap which will form the reply card and the rear wall 12".

It will be understood that many variations may be made Without departing from the scope of this invention. For instance, it is possible to have the separable closure flap extend the long direction of the envelope rather than widthwise. Likewise, the entire under surface of the flap need not be coated with the cohesive substance, it being understood that spaced coated areas will suffice.

The advertising return card envelope in accordance with the invention will appreciably increase the response since there is little likelihood of premature separation or mutilation of the" return card portion. The ultimate size of thecard should'obviously be calculated to fall Within size regulations permitted by the post ofiice.

Having thus described the invention and illustrated its use, what is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

, 1. A container device of the type described comprising an envelope having front and rear wall portions, the

extremities of said wall portions defining an access mouth, a generally rectangular fiap member having a marginal edge in common with said front wall portion and outwardly lapping said rear wall portion to form a closure for said mouth, the surface of said flap adjacent said rear wall portion being coated with a cohesive surface layer, a pair of weakened lines extending transversely across said flap adjacent the lateral side edges thereof to define a spaced pair of severabie strips, a longitudinally extending tear line formed in said flap and intersecting each of said first mentioned weakened lines, sa d rear Wall of said container being provided with cohesively coated portions in registry with said strips of said flap and a fold line on said flap parallel to said weakened lines and medially disposed therehetween, said flap, when separated from said envelope and folded over on itself along said fold line to bring said cohesive surfaces into contact, forming a stiffened mailing card or the like.

2. A container device of the type described comprising an envelope having front and rear Wall portions, the extremities of said wall portions defining an access mouth, a generally rectanguar flap member having an edge in common with said front Wall and outwardly lapping said rear wall to form a closure for said mouth, a score line medially transversely bisecting said fiap, bendable fastener means on said rear Wall, an aperture formed in said flap and disposed to one side of said score line, said aperture lying in registry with and permitting passage therethrough of said fastener means in the lapping portion of said fiap with respect to said rear wall, a tear line extending transversely of said flap and normal to said score line, said flap having a cohesive coating formed on the surface of said iiap lying adjacent said rear wall, whereby, when said flap is separated from said envelope along said tear line and is folded over upon itself along said score line to bring said cohesive surfaces into contact, a stiffened card is formed, portions of said card forming a closure for said aperture by reason of the offset disposition of said aperture with respect to said score line.

References (Iitcd by the Examiner UNlTED STATES PATENTS 332,454 12/85 Smith.

521,431 6/94 Cannahan.

793,120 6/05 Arthur.

828,163 8/06 Williams 229-73 X 1,040,064 10/12 Patton. 1,171,703 2/16 Gather 22970 1,177,886 4/16 Newcornh 229-70 X 1,943,022 1/34 Koster. 2,196,461 4/40 Heywood. 2,270,455 1/42 Lichter 22992.1 X 2,521,989 9/550 McPherson. 2,933,431 5/61 Turan 229-73 X FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner, 

1. A CONTAINER DEVICE OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED COMPRISING AN ENVELOPE HAVING FRONT AND REAR WALL PORTIONS, THE EXTREMITIES OF SAID WALL PORTIONS DEFINING AN ACCESS MOUTH, A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR FLAP MEMBER HAVING A MARGINAL EDGE IN COMMON WITH SAID FRONT WALL PORTION AND OUTWARDLY LAPPING SAID REAR WALL PORTION TO FORM A CLOSURE FOR SAID MOUTH THE SURFACE OF SAID FLAP ADJACENT SAID REAR WALL PORTION BEING COATED WITH A COHESIVE SURFACE LAYER, A PAIR OF WEAKENED LINES EXTENDING TRANSVERSELYY ACROSS SAID FLAP ADJACENT THE LATERAL SIDE EDGES THEREOF TO DEFINE A SPACED PAIR OF SEVERABLY STRIPS, A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING TEAR LINE FORMED IN SAID FLAP AND INTERSECTING EACH OF SAID FIRST MENTIONED WEAKENED LINES SAID REAR WALL OF SAID CONTAINER BEING PROVIDED WITH COHESIVELY COATED PORTIONS IN REGISTRY WITH SAID STRIPS OF SAID FLAP AND A FOLD LINE ON SAID FLAP PARALLEL TO SAID WEAKENED LINES AND MEDIALLY DISPOSED THEREBETWEEN, SAID FLAP, WHEN SEPARATED FORM SAID ENVELOPE AND FOLDED OVER ON ITSELF ALONG SAID FOLD LINE TO BRING SAID COHESIVE SURFACES INTO CONTACT, FORMING A STIFFENED MAILING CARD OR THE LIKE. 